Frank Miller Puts More Dark Knight Art Up for Auction

Comics artist Frank Miller has consigned two pieces of original Batman artwork — both valued at more than $50,000 — to be put up for auction.

The first (above) is the book cover art for Absolute Dark Knight, the single-volume edition combining The Dark Knight Returns and The Dark Knight Strikes Again, which the comics creator says is one of his favorite pieces.

"It took me years to define, in my own mind, Batman as less a creature of vengeance than of vigor," Miller said, describing the drawing in a press release about the auction. "To me, it sums the man up."

Miller worked with artists Klaus Janson and Lynn Varley on the artwork for his Dark Knight graphic novels, but the two pieces up for auction were created entirely by Miller. Original Miller artwork from Dark Knight comics has been fetching a pretty penny lately. A splash page from The Dark Knight Returns brought in a mind-boggling $448,125 last year at a Heritage auction. It's a piece the auction house's Senior Vice President Ed Jaster likened to the Batman and Robin image currently open for bidding.

"This piece is a direct reflection and front-on view of Miller's famous original splash page of the Dynamic Duo, which shattered all existing records for a piece," Jaster said in a statement. "Needless to say, we expect great demand in the market for this visionary piece."

Hundreds of other comics and pieces of original artwork will be on the block in Heritage's upcoming auction. Check out a few more of the rare comics artifacts — from Action Comics No. 1 (with a current bid of $140,000) to an original Bill Watterson Calvin and Hobbes watercolor — in the gallery above.

“Like any hero, Batman is complex,” Miller said of this work in a statement. “Here we see him as a father figure, instructing one of my favorite creations, dear Carrie Kelly.”

Estimated value: $50,000+

Detective Comics No. 27

To collectors, Detective Comics No. 27, which features the first appearance of Batman, is considered the second most valuable comic around in mint condition. Considering the Dark Knight's current cultural cachet, it could one day edge out Action Comics No. 1 as the most valuable comic in the game.

Estimated value: $475,000+

Action Comics No. 1

Action Comics No. 1 has been referred to as the "most important comic book ever published" because it contains the first appearance of Superman. The most well-preserved copies of this book can bring seven figures, so the lower-grade copy currently up for auction could prove to be a steal for the right (rich) collector.

Estimated value: $325,000+

All-American Comics No. 16

Featuring the first appearance of Green Lantern, this 1940 comic is also well-regarded among collectors. The one currently up for auction is in much better condition than most currently being held by hobbists.

Estimated value: $130,000+

Amazing Spider-Man Annual No. 3

This issue was the first of just three Annual covers done by John Romita Sr. A rare gem from the Silver Age featuring the Hulk and the Avengers.

Estimated value: $125,000+

Batman No. 1

Batman No. 1 not only delivers the first appearances of both Catwoman and the Joker, it also boasts a beautiful cover by Bob Kane and the late Jerry Robinson. It's a Golden Age must-have for serious collectors.

Estimated value: $125,000+

Calvin and Hobbes 1989-1990 Calendar Cover Watercolor

Works by Calvin and Hobbes' fame-shy creator Bill Watterson are very rare and very few of his works have gone under the gavel, according to Heritage. The auction house expects the piece to fetch a good price, considering the amount of attention it's already gotten online.

Estimated value: $50,000+

Captain America Comics No. 2

This book marks the second appearance of Captain America, but the first time fans saw his famous costume and shield. It was released before the star-spangled superhero's country had actually entered World War II — but Adolf Hitler is still the issue's cover villain.

Estimated value: $80,000+

Marvel Comics No. 1

Also a one-time holder of the Most Valuable Comic in the Game title, this issue has since fallen behind Action Comics No. 1, Detective Comics No. 1 and Superman No. 1, but it's still a high-value item to true Marvel fans.